Carl Froch finally got his chance for revenge when he took on old rival Mikkel Kessler at London's O2 Arena on Saturday night.
The Nottingham Cobra lost to the Dane three years ago but was now on home soil to defend his IBF super-middleweight world title and add Kessler's WBA belt to his collection.
Tickets sold out within hours back in January but Sportsmail has covered every blow here.
D-day: Britain's Carl Froch (right) exchanges words with Denmark's Mikkel Kessler after the weigh-in
We will bring you all the build-up from the capital along with George Groves' fight with Noe Gonzalez Alcoba and Tony Bellew's own rematch with Isaac Chilemba before the main event itself.
Email your comments and predictions to martin.domin@dailymail.co.ukor tweet @martin_domin
12.30AM: And the winner is... with a unanimous decision and scores of 118-110, 116-112, 115-113, Carl Froch.
JEFF POWELL'S VERDICT: Wearing him down? Froch's punches seem to gradually be having a greater effect on Kessler
Froch 10-9.
History talks with the war to end all wars. Boxing fans around the planet will be glad to know that Carl Froch will fight on for even greater glory.
After winning his second epic battle with Mikkel Kessler in a cacophonous O2 Arena, the Cobra raised his sights to the ultimate match of revenge and unification against Andre Ward.
More of that in due course when the bruises are healed.
For these extraordinary warriors of the ring and their exhausted audience there are weeks of thrilling reflection on this Saturday night in London when Britain’s No 1 boxer defended his world super middleweight title like Horatio at the Bridge.
Froch promised a fast start and it was as well that he had rounds in the bank before the explosion saw him and Kessler trading massive and many blows through the latter half of the 12 rounds.
Third fight on the way? There would be interest in seeing the two have a third fight
Lesser men would have gone down from any a number of the barrages unleashed by both these gladiators.
Froch won it alright to avenge one of the two defeats which irritate him so much.
Kessler, if he does retire, goes out on his viking shield.
ROUND 12: The crowd rise for the final round and what a round it is. Kessler appears to take the upper hand as he goes looking for Froch but the cobra responds and has the Dane in real trouble. The referee has a look but Kessler escapes from the ropes and sees it out.
JEFF POWELL'S VERDICT: These two great warriors produce an incredible final round with the last of their energy. Kessler lands the first big shots but Froch comes back to finish with a stupendous burst of punching which almost put Kessler away right at the end, with the referee looking closely at the Dane’s condition.
If there was a doubt in any judge's mind this last huge effort should have won it for Froch.
ROUND 11: Froch is cut over the left eye after a barrage of punches towards the end of the round. Before and after that the two just trade non stop. This has lived up to expectations and Kessler takes another.
JEFF POWELL'S VERDICT: This is more like a world war now. Kessler catches Froch with a wicked right hook and sends him reeling across the ring with the ensuing combination. Just as anyone but Kessler might have gone down three rounds earlier, the Cobra somehow survived and even fights back at the end.
ROUND 10: Kessler lands first with a left foot that rocks Froch but he responds well with his right. It's tit for tat for most of the round but another right from Froch sends Kessler stumbling and Froch pulls away again.
JEFF POWELL'S VERDICT: Kessler tries to turn it back into a test of boxing skills, which would suit him, and enjoys early success. Froch rallies but the round has probably slipped away.
Power punching: Neither Froch nor Kessler used punches as range finders, everything was thrown with conviction
ROUND 9: Kessler opens with a left-right-left that sends sweat spurting from Froch's face. A quieter round but the two still trade blows at close quarters with Froch often having the last say. Even.
JEFF POWELL'S VERDICT: Amazingly, the Viking warrior comes back powerfully from his eighth-round beating. Froch is caught by an early flurry and this is now becoming the war which all concerned predicted. But this is Kessler’s best round.
Building a lead: But Kessler's still very much in the fight
ROUND 8: Kessler opens his arms wide to invite Froch on and he responds in kind. Then Froch takes over with his hat seeking right hand doing the damage. Kessler looks at one point as if he's there for the taking but he fires back. But Froch lands the telling blows.
JEFF POWELL'S VERDICT: Huge round for Froch. Kessler looks desperate, really, after a huge right to the head while Froch maintains the pressure. The Dane still fires back but from weak legs. Huge courage from Kessler, but Froch picks his shots and Kessler returns unsteadily to the corner.
ROUND 7: Froch gets back on the jab and stems the tide. He aims for Kessler's head and enjoys repeated success before switching to the body. Then the toe-to-toe fight that we've all come to see breaks out and hooks go whistling past ears.
JEFF POWELL'S VERDICT: The seventh starts quietly with Froch in control with the jab but the explosion the watching pack was awaiting came in the final minute with barnstorming exchanges of lefts and rights from both men. Froch is just the more active.
Wearing him down? Froch's punches seem to gradually be having a greater effect on Kessler
ROUND 6: Kessler throws a low blow and Froch takes a brief time out. The Dane is soon back on top and enjoys his best round so far. He's recovered from his slow start and is throwing some crunching punches.
JEFF POWELL'S VERDICT: Kessler is warned for a left-handed blow below the belt and Froch us given time to recover. The Cobra is enraged into a two-fisted retaliation which wins him the round and restores his cushion of advantage.
ROUND 5: Kessler throws the best punch yet with his right hand but Froch responds and the Dane sinks into his boots. Froch takes the upper hand towards the end of the session, pinning Kessler against the ropes and the visitor hits after the bell.
JEFF POWELL'S VERDICT: Kessler begins with a bang and climaxes a swift start to the round with a massive right hook, albeit one which Froch’s chin takes with its customary granite durability. The even exhanges at the end give the Dane his first success.
ROUND 4: Froch starts well with a left-right but Kessler works his way into the round with some precise jabs which find their target. He switches downstairs with a hook and earns his first round.
JEFF POWELL'S VERDICT: Froch opened up with a huge two-fisted attack which cost Kessler. The Dane is trying to box his way through this but Froch's early attacks and a late flurry leave him trailing.
Wild: Froch misses with a straight right
All action: The two continue to fight at a high pace but Kessler's class is now beginning to show
ROUND 3: We shouldn't forget that Kessler has KO power in his hands but he needs to hit Froch first. He's too busy fending off the jab at the moment and even that seems to be troubling him. Froch keeps it simple, occasionally throwing a right hand and left hook.
JEFF POWELL'S VERDICT: Froch is still working the jab but Kessler's now landing some of his own. Kessler's also looking more elusive than in earlier rounds, which he needed to.
ROUND 2: Froch sticks with the jab at the start of the round as the crowd ebbs and flows with their man. Then the cobra springs into life, forcing Kessler to cling on after shipping a right. Froch jumps on the Dane but he won't be a sitting duck like Lucian Bute.
JEFF POWELL'S VERDICT: Kessler began the second more proactive but still Froch's jab was still working well. Just as Kessler looked to be taking control, Froch unleashed a combination which ended with another big right. Kessler trying to box more than in the first fight but Froch was ready for.
Toe-to-toe battle: Froch and Kessler wasted no time in engaging, but the Briton got the better of the earlier rounds
ROUND 1: A session dominated by the jab as both men sling their defences low and pop out their left hand. Froch lands more regularly and adds a left hook for good measure. Kessler responds but Froch brings the right hand into play and has success at the end of the round.
JEFF POWELL'S VERDICT: The loudest national anthem since the Jubilee celebrations were still ringing in the ears as they came out for the first round. Froch was using his jab effectively and trying to make the fast start he wanted. Kessler's face was already reddening but he responded as the round went on only for Froch's to send him reeling back with an explosive combination.
11.31pm: We're underway...
11.28pm: The famous Michael Buffer says: 'Let's get ready to rumble!'
Little else needs saying.
11.26pm: Followed by the English national anthem, of course. Both fighters look ready, and neither appears particularly nervous. It's nearly fight time
11.24pm: The Danish national anthem is playing, and Peter Schmeichel is among those singing along.
11.21pm: The 'Viking Warrior' Kessler is now walking to the ring, and does so to a chorus of booing...
Home fighter: But Carl Froch did his ring entrance first, and waited for opponent and rival Mikkel Kessler
11.20pm: Froch is now in the ring, waiting for Kessler. He looks focused, but not quite as fired up as at yesterday's weigh in - nothing wrong with that, if anything he needed to be calmer.
11.15pm: Michael Buffer introduces Carl Froch to a raucous crowd. Welcome to the Jungle is the Cobra's song of choice.
The Great Dane: Peter Schmeichel is present to support his close friend Kessler
Returning: Comedian Lee Evans has performed at the O2 before, and is sitting alongside retired heavyweight Scott Welch (right)
11.10pm: That's the final undercard fight done and dusted.
Almost time, folks...
11.05pm: There are small pockets of Danish fans scattered round the arena. I spoke to a couple earlier and they claimed they didn't mind who won as long as it was a good fight. Not sure I believe that one...
11pm: As you would expect, the arena has filled up nicely and the crowd is shown footage of Froch warming up in the dressing room.
The atmosphere is bound to be electric when he makes his way to the ring.
Promoter Eddie Hearn seems relaxed at least, giving an interview at ringside.
10.50pm: Less than half an hour away from the ring walks now. Who do you think will prevail? Send your thoughts via the details above.
It's the safe option, but I'm going for Froch on points. But if Kessler turns is fully tuned up, no result would be a surprise.
10.40pm: Two knockdowns from Smith and the referee waves it off shortly after. The super middleweight is 6-0 and impressing a lot of people.
10.30pm: We have 45 minutes until the main event. The exciting Callum Smith will continue his embryonic pro career against Ryan Moore over eight rounds.
ROUND 5: ITS OVER! Groves lands a left-right to the head and Gonzalez is down. He is up quickly but is wobbling round the ring. The referee begins the count but soon waves it off.
ROUND 4: Gonzalez looks livelier in this session as he at least throws some punches but Groves is happy to stick his jab out which is effective at least, if not entertaining. A fight briefly threatens to break out towards the end of the round as the pair trade in the centre of the ring and Groves certainly took a couple.
My score: 10-9
Undefeated: George Groves continued his career with another impressive win
Body shot: Groves largely appears in control against Gonzalez
ROUND 3: Groves is content to rely on single punches with his left hand as he takes control of the round. Only very occasionally will he release the right but nothing is coming back in response from Gonzalez. He may well be happy to stick in there for the duration but Groves will hardly look stylish if that is the case.
My score: 10-9
Power: George Groves has a reputation for being in entertaining fights
ROUND 2: Groves lands with a one-two early on that has Gonzalez back pedalling towards the ropes. The Londoner takes advantage, laying siege as if he's realised his opponent is there for the taking. But the South American takes the punches and replies with a left of his own and cheeky smile that suggests he's not hurt. Wayne Rooney is given a mixed reception when shown on the big screen.
My score: 10-9
ROUND 1: Given Gonzalez's KO record, Groves takes a sensible approach and feels out his opponent in the opening session. Leading with a crisp jab and occasionally bringing in the right hand, the Londoner keeps Gonzalez at bay. An uppercut late in the round confirms his authority.
My score (Groves first): 10-9
10pm: The formalities are over... we're underway.
9.55pm: Groves is no stranger to the O2 of course, he beat James Degale here two years ago and he is afforded a rousing reception as he enters the ring. The Londoner wants a fight with Carl Froch sooner rather than later but must come through this in style first.
9.50pm: Time for George Groves v Noe Gonzalez Alcoba, from here on in referred to as 'Gonzalez'. The Uruguayan moved to Argentina as a youngster and has built up an impressive record with just two defeats - to Felix Sturm and Adonis Stevenson - and has 22 KOs from his 30 victories.
Famous fan: Rooney visits Carl Froch in the changing room, as did Luke Campbell
9.40pm: Martin J Ward finishes Andy Harris inside the distance and is now 6-0.
9.35pm: We're back to playing catch-up with the undercard, Groves won't be too far away though.
9.18pm: Huge relief from Bellew there and he can set his sights on bigger prizes now.
I'll be back with George Groves shortly.
9.17pm: And Bellew takes it by unanimous decision!
For the record, the judges scored it: 116-112, 117-112 and 116-112
Back on track: Tony Bellew beat Isaac Chilemba in their rematch, a world title eliminator
9.15pm: Promoter Eddie Hearn certainly believes his man has won and there are no celebrations from the Chilemba corner.
ROUND 12: Chilemba needs a knockout to win for me and he comes out as if he knows it. Bellew deals with the attack though and lands a couple of counters of his own. An even round to end.
My score: 10-10
I make Bellew the winner by a score of 117-114, lets see what the judges think.
ROUND 11: Chilemba is not an especially big hitter but he is awkward and causes Bellew a few problems in this - the penultimate round. He would be a nightmare opponent for any fight and this is one the Liverpool man just has to put to bed and file under 'job done'. But the Malawian lands the crisper shots and closes the gap an little.
My score: 9-10
Bruising: But Bellew had too much for his opponent
ROUND 10: Bellew's style is very crude at times and most of his punches are just finding Chilemba's gloves. Not that the visitor is faring much better mind, but he does at least get through with an uppercut and then a left hook. Several of these rounds are tight but he deserves to take it.
My score: 9-10
ROUND 9: More entertaining three minutes that as both boxers look to stay on the outside. Bellew works well behind his double jab and there are signs he's finding the form he showed earlier on. Carl Froch has arrived at the arena; cue cheers.
My score: 10-9
ROUND 8: Chilemba is always looking to lunge in and get to work on the inside but he would be much better punching and moving, working off the jab. He's playing into Bellew's hands here and his corner takes him to task during the break. Bellew pulling clear.
My score: 10-10
Uppercut: But it's not necessarily been the most entertaining of fights
ROUND 7: It was at this stage in Liverpool that Chilemba came alive and he'll need to do so again here as I have him well behind as we enter the second half of the fight. Again it's scrappy with both swinging wildly in the opening stages, often into thin air. Can't split them.
My score: 10-10
ROUND 6: Brief delay as Chilemba's gumshield tumbles to the canvas. Once we get back underway, not many shots are landing clean but Bellew manages to do so with a right on the ropes. With so much holding going, it doesn't take much for the other to win the session. Bellew has to stay behind his jab, he turns scrappy when he has to fight on the inside. Boos ring round as Mikkel Kessler is shown on the big screen heading to his dressing room.
My score: 10-9
Early lead? Bellew looks as though he's seen the better of the first half of the fight
ROUND 5: Amir Khan's trainer Virgil Hunter is an interested spectator in front of me. Chilemba lands three uppercuts in the early stages as Bellew momentarily stops working behind the jab and gets in close too close. The Malawian does enough to edge his first round.
My score: 9-10
ROUND 4: Messy round this, both happy to hold inbetween flurries of rather wild shots to the body. Few are landing but Bellew looks good behind his double jab. If you don't get him with the first, you'll get him with the second, as the saying goes. He may not be landing many but it looks like he is, which is key.
My score: 10-9
ROUND 3: A quieter session but Bellew lands with a short right in the corner. He is still shipping a few jabs but responds with several of his own punches in response - crucial in catching the judges' eye. He lands again late in the round with a left to the body and a straight right. He's producing the better work
Trading blows: And Tony Bellew and Isaac Chilemba have already fought once before
My score: 10-9
ROUND 2: Chilemba claimed he was suffering from a cold before the first fight and he has certainly started quicker this time - the two are happy to trade from time to time. But again it's Bellew who has success with the punches; he's first to the body in the early stages and rocks his opponent again later on, forcing him to cling on for dear life.
My score: 10-9
ROUND 1: Well, I think there were more punches landed in that round than the whole of the last fight. Bellew had Chilemba on the ropes on several occasions and manages to land flush. He slips the hooks coming back but is susceptible to the odd jab. His work in the first half of the session gives him the nod though.
My score (Bellew first): 10-9
8.20pm: So, these two fought two months ago in Liverpool when the fight was scored a draw, much to Bellew's disgust, but it was a fair result.
They're back in the ring in double-quick time and the prize for the winner is a shot at the winner of WBC champion Chad Dawson's next title defence against Adonis Stevenson in June.
8.15pm: Turns out we're sticking with the schedule and Tony Bellew v Isaac Chilemba will be on next.
8.10pm: Ricky Hatton is here for BBC Radio Five Live and looking rather trim, which is always good to see.
We can expect plenty of celebrity guests to file into ringside over the next few hours.
Andy Murray and Rory McIlroy will be here while Wayne Rooney also made ticketing inquiries and presumably wasn't turned down.
Wide interest: Wayne Rooney has made the trip down from Manchester to watch tonight's boxing
8pm: Welcome to Sportsmail's coverage of a huge night of boxing at the O2 Arena in London.
The main event of course sees Carl Froch bid for revenge against Mikkel Kessler, three years after the Dane won a unanimous decision on home soil.
Before that we have Tony Bellew in a rematch of his own with Isaac Chilemba in a final eliminator for the WBC light-heavyweight world title.
And then George Groves will take to the ring against the hard-hitting Noe Gonzalez Alcoba.
At the moment however, we've only had one fight of the undercard after the paramedics were caught up in a crash on the motorway. Doubt that will affect Froch and Kessler as they're not due on till 11.15pm but it may well interfere with Bellew's start time.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-2330763/Carl-Froch-v-Mikkel-Kessler--Live-boxing-O2.html